1998 Subaru Legacy

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #01V216000June 25, 2001180,000 vehicles affected

  suspension: front: springs: coil springs

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. The front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, Can result in breakage of the spring.

  Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.

  Remedy

  Dealers will notifiy customers to bring their vehicle to an authorize dealership to have a spring guard installed on both front struts to prevent tire puncture and replace any broken springs free of charge. Owner notification began september 18, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

• NHTSA recall #99V040000March 3, 1999221,987 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

  Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS). (the 1999 2.2 liter Legacy vehicles are excluded). In extremely cold weather, the brake pedal goes to the floor and the vehicle stopping distance is increased.

  This condition causes the vehicle stopping distance to be increased, possibly resulting in a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.

• NHTSA recall #98V127000June 8, 199820,306 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: engine

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, also service parts supplied to Subaru dealers are involved (lot numbers F01 J21D2, F01 J30D2, F02 J09D1, F02 J09D2, and F02 J20D1). The purolator oil filter cans used on these vehicles Can fracture causing a vaporized oil spray and subsequent oil leak.

  This vaporized oil spray Can result in oil vapor ignition by the hot exhaust system resulting in a possible underhood fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect and replace these engine oil filters.

• NHTSA recall #98V042000February 20, 199819,386 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys Can stick, shift levers/linkages Can break and shift levers Can move.

  This condition Can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).

Other model years

• 1990 81
• 1991 78
• 1992 55
• 1993 77
• 1994 60
• 1995 182
• 1996 123
• 1997 139
• 1998
• 1999 94
• 2000 94
• 2001 77
• 2002 54
• 2003 60
• 2004 49
• 2005 184
• 2006 87
• 2007 33
• 2008 65
• 2009 65
• 2010 150
• 2011 167
• 2012 90
• 2013 66
• 2014 53
• 2015 160
• 2016 147
• 2017 119
• 2018 117
• 2019 123
• 2020 121
• 2021 31
• 2022 34